On 4 August, the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) hosted the opening ceremony of the ‘UN Friendship Games – 80’ sports project and a friendly chess tournament. The competition was organised by the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the Russian Federation, the UN Association of Russia, the United Nations Information Centre and the UN Public Committee – 80. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan.

The tournament was timed to coincide with the International Year of Peace and Trust. The ceremony was attended by Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov, Rector of MGIMO, Chairman of the Russian Association for the United Nations Anatoliy Torkunov, Director of the UN Information Centre Vladimir Kuznetsov, Turkmenistan's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Russia Esen Aydogdyev, and UN Goodwill Ambassador and hockey player Vyacheslav Fetisov.

In his speech, E. Aydogdyev emphasised that sports diplomacy is one of the key areas of Turkmenistan's foreign policy. He recalled the 30th anniversary of the country's permanent neutrality, the 80th anniversary of Victory Day and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, and announced an international conference to be held in Ashgabat in December.

More than 30 participants gathered for the tournament, including diplomats, students and pupils from sports schools. The winner received the Friendship Games Cup, while the other participants received commemorative diplomas.

The ‘UN Friendship Games – 80’ series will continue in September with football, tennis and chess competitions.